Hey gang.

Brand new here. I find myself in the position of needing a laptop for work/study, and I figure that I might as well get one thats decent as a desktop replacement and gaming machine (I spend a lot of time away from home in hotels for work...would be nice to have a game or two available).

I'm pretty good at desktops (build my own), but I have ZERO experience with laptops...this will be my first one.

I was looking at this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147750

HP Pavilion HDX9494NR NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T8100(2.10GHz) 20.1" Wide SXGA+ 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm Blu-ray Disc / Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS.

It has a very large display (great for my desktop replacement since I am currently using a 22" flatscreen), the 8800M GTS, and a decent processor. Its also about maxxing out my price range, i.e. around $1500.

Does anyone have any experience with this machine? Can anyone give me some opinions based on the listed specs? Or point me in the direction of a better or cheaper machine that might do the trick.

I'm not looking to run Crysis on high graphic settings...I'll be rebuilding my desktop into a pure gaming machine for that. No sweat there. This machine will be surfing the web, doing homework, and playing games like Witcher, NWN2, Bioshock, Hellgate, Assassin's Creed, things like that. I don't mind turning down the settings a bit to play high-end games. But I want something thats going to last for a few years. 3 would be good.

Two things that concern me:
--5400 RPM HD speed
--64-bit processor running Vista-64 bit...is there any decent anti-virus/anti-spamware software out yet for 64-bit systems?

Lot of questions, I know, but I need info before I drop my coin. Any help would be appreciated.

Actually I'm supposed to review the HDX soon. I'll keep you posted.

Cool, an actual review by someone who's used it and knows whats what would be superb.

One question...any idea whan "soon" might be?

That laptop looks pretty cool, if you don't mind it is a little big and heavy.

Still trying to work that out.

Wow..........the PS3 might be on hold, thats ALOT of laptop for a very nice price.